Again...what were the odds?

In December, I accompanied a friend to a mall that I hadn't been to in quite a while.  It has a Disney Store, and a specific kind of 'doll' was on her granddaughter's Santa list. We were going to that store

and then to have some lunch at a restaurant. Nice and easy agenda...great adventure with a great friend.

 Logistically, The Disney Store is on the second level, and exactly at the entrance/exit to an elevator.  It is about 5 steps out of the elevator to enter the store.  I was wandering around looking at all of the 'stuff' as my friend chose which doll to purchase. Both of us were at the entrance to the store when suddenly, we became aware of someone screaming at their kid. It was difficult to NOT hear the scene.  As the mother yanked the 2 year old's arm bringing him abruptly next to her, she yelled,

"Get over here...what are you doing?  You could have been stolen/snatched!! You stay right next to me."
They got on the elevator and away they went.  I felt sorry for the kid, and hoped that life wasn't like that for him all the time. Not to be misunderstood, I do know the instant panic that is felt when you look down and your child has moved out of your sight in a public place.  It was the tone and volume of the public screaming that was upsetting.
Any way, the doll was purchased and we went to lunch at Pizza Uno and had a fantastic lunch!  Soup, a half of a spinach and eggplant panini, and a dessert that was delicious accompanied by lots of conversation that was fun, fun, fun!
An hour or so later, we rode the escalator down to the ground floor, and I sat on a bench while she went to get the car from far, far away.  December...Christmas shoppers....a big mall...parking the car had been an adventure and I still had a recovering foot injury that hurt to walk long distances.
Sitting on the bench and 'people watching' abit, a couple/three people came over and sat down.  A cute blue eyed boy was drinking from a bottle and stopping to say, 'Mama'. The toddler began side stepping and when he ventured pretty close to the escalator, the 'dad' got up and placed himself in between the kid and the escalator and shook his head in 'no-no' motion. Then the kid was hoisted into the man's arms and they returned to the bench to sit down.  I quietly said to the man,
"I have to compliment you because it was so nice to see the way you steered that situation without screaming at the kid.  A couple of hours ago, some little kid got yanked by the arm and screamed at by the elevator with words that I am not sure he even understood."
My friend appeared and was pointing to the car being right by the door, and we left the mall.  As we drove out she said to me,
"Do you know who you were talking to?"
"No...why?"
"That was the kid by the elevator!"
"What?? Are you kidding me? "
And I told her what I had said to the man....sitting next to the woman...who turned out to be the screamer.
We both laughed, but I couldn't help but think...
What were the odds of being in a place with hundreds of people and wind up with my conversation happening with that 'dad'?
Well, maybe he shared my thoughts with the screamer.  Maybe something good came out of the whole thing.

 

Was it Something I Said???

There is the thought that many things often happen for a reason.  In reflecting on my weekend stay at St. Joe's Spa [hospital!], it occurred to me that I had a small part in someone else's script, unbeknownst to both of us.
My little unplanned jaunt began when my surgery incision needed some antibiotic intravenous 'boost' and I was sent directly from the doctor's office to admissions. My room assignment was on the 4th floor which was an orthopedic wing, and a pleasant surprise was that it had been reopened less than a year ago after impressive renovations. No one in the other bed,  I was tucked into the bed by the door, located the flat screen TV in perfect position, and was handed the ''Room Service" menu.  You got to choose from a varied assortment from breakfast [available at any time], lunch, dinner, salads, side orders, drinks, desserts, etc. Between the hours of 6:45 AM and 6:45 PM an order could be placed by phoning 4-FOOD and selecting your choices.  It arrived within 45 minutes, and was pretty darned good...for hospital food.  Wow!! Innovative for sure!
The rest of the experience was IVs, vitals and/or blood work at 4AM. {Really??}
On the second night, the other bed area was prepared for a woman who would be returning from surgery. When I woke up Sunday morning { I slept?}, there she was ...resting ...as I made my way to the shared bathroom.  This is where our two lives did a little 'chapter' together.
After I was back in bed, a little voice eked out,
"My stomach hurts."
I immediately pushed my nurse's button, and directed the nurse to my roommate whose stomach hurt.
The nurse explained to her that after surgery, it is very common to have trapped air that causes pain, and that was most likely the cause. [I knew this to be true, when 24 hours after delivering my son via C section, I got horrendous pains and buzzed the nurse's station saying,
"I thought I already had this baby...what the heck is happening?"
The answer was trapped air post- surgery, and when expelled, it's all  better. ['gas'tly but true].
Ten minutes passed, and the little voice from beyond the privacy curtain whispers..."I have to go to the bathroom."
So, I press my buzzer and again direct the assistance to my neighbor.  They gave her a bedpan and some time to concentrate.
Then I hear a whisper [kind of like my mom's] as if talking to herself..." I need more oxygen."
Whoa. Jeez... I buzzed the nurse and pointed 'over there' and related the 'needing more oxygen.'  I imagine that there are a certain number of buzzes when suddenly you are not seen as urgent but I didn't care.  On the next trip in to see the post op patient, she was mumbling as if her speech was affected in some way.  She thought her tongue was swollen.  Well, the pace and teamwork certainly began to accelerate at this point.  People flew in, doctors, machinery, an ultrasound 'whooshing' gizmo.
"This is not good."  They couldn't get a loud enough pulse or oxygen level or whatever.  There were now about 15 people over there as I quietly shrink into obscurity wide-eyed and wondering.
They decide to call for 'rapid response' followed by the decision that ICU would be a better place to more closely monitor this patient. They reach for her oxygen tank to travel and see that there is no holder for it.  They spy one behind my bed, and as a man reaches over my headboard to shed the tank to get to the wrought iron holder, he glances at me...to which I smile and whisper,
"Just pretend like I'm not even here."
Furniture moved, feet shuffled, directions were given, and the woman's bed rolled out with all the entourage as well.  It had lasted probably minutes and was fascinating to watch.  It was like being on the set of ER or Grey's Anatomy.  Pretty far out.
And then I was alone again. Thinking.  It reminded me of the book, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven."  I was one of hers. I think we'll meet again [in the future!!].  What if I wasn't there to push the nurse's buzzer?  What if I hadn't gotten involved?  Isn't life strange with the way we interact with each other when we least expect to and how it may change many things unknowingly?
Later in the day, someone came back to tell me that all was well and her family was there in ICU with the 'lil lady.
So, was that the reason I was in the hospital that weekend? 
I dialed up Room Service thinking that a small glass of wine would've been nice to unwind from 'my spectator trip to the ER... while on the 4th floor... in a place that I had never been to before.  I settted for cheesecake and coffee.
And a little bit of quiet time. 
Later the next evening,  I watched Dave, the nurse, who had been on all three 3-11 shifts run from patient to patient.  I even heard one in the next room tell him that she wanted to hit him!  He popped his head in my doorway and said,
"You are definitely my favorite patient tonight!!"

God bless all of the people who dedicate their energies to help others in need. It's quite an important job, and I think the folks in health care are more often taken for granted...or not appreciated enough.  So, share some compliments and a smile or two along the path of life.  Supply some mirth and merriment.  Be a positive force.

Me??  I found it exhausting even from the perspective of the 'mouse in hiding'..just watching!!"

Decisions....

It was 5 years ago on April 15th that my mom had the stroke that was to change life as we knew it then.  She has lived with me for four and a half years with the help of some pretty amazing, caring people. Flo's pleasant disposition [most of the time] and the fact that she knew when she needed a ride to the bathroom[ that in itself was majorly important]  made the situation a good one. 

Well, Flo crested that 100 year old hill and has developed a new pattern in life where she is awake for two days [that includes the night hours] and then crashes for a two day sleep [which includes the daytime hours].  I could manage the sleeping part, but the 48 hours of ' awake with an agenda'  were taking their toll on everyone. 
After realizing that this was happening quite regularly, the handwriting was definitely on the wall [and Flo often thought she saw writing on the wall!]  I live by the message of The Serenity Prayer, and after accepting the things that I could not change, and I  changed the things I could.. now I must acknowledge that last part which is...to have the wisdow to know the difference. 

So, tomorrow 'Sweet Flo' as she was known on the third floor during the recent  respit stay at a local nursing home is now checking in as a resident.  Reality is hard to deal with sometimes.  I remind myself that it is a change in arrangements and Gracie [ dog extraordinaire] and I will be visiting often with lots of hugs and kisses. 
And there you have it.
Rip Van Winkle will be checking into a ' room at the inn', and I will be taking my turn at the Rip Van Winkle experience.
More stories to follow, I'm sure. After my long winter's nap.zzzzzz.

Compassion

Friday is my day to volunteer at the hospital for a couple of hours.  People who are there for one day surgery sign in and I call the nurses' station to announce that their next patient is there.
One of the reasons that I enjoy the waiting room is that I run into people and former students from years passed.  That was the case today.
I asked a friendly looking young man if he would please get the top/lid off of my bottle of Snapple. [I have a hard time with that, and I didn't want to pound it on the desk to 'pop the seal' the way I do at home.]  When I looked at his face, I realized that it was a familiar one...a former student.
While he was easy to recall and a wonderful young man as a student, it was his sister who left a profound and lasting impression.on me.  A great kid and a pleasure to teach, she was obviously a very compassionate person even at the age of ten.
She quietly raised her hand in the middle of a lesson and said,
"Please excuse my interruption, but there is a moth caught in a spider web right outside the window, and it is very stressed.  Could I please just let it go so that it won't die trying to get free?"
Well, of course!
She hopped up on the window shelf and her good friend held her waist while I held her feet as she freed that struggling moth/butterfly.
Whew!  What a simple yet grand gesture to another living creature!

So as her brother left, I asked him to say hello to his sister for me, and ask her if she remembers rescuing a moth from a spider's web in 5th grade.
'Cause I sure do!!

Random abstract...unscripted!

My day began yesterday in its usual routine...let the dog out, feed the cat, get a cup of coffee and a banana, back to the bedroom, check on Mom [10 days to 100!], communicate with my son via computer, put the Today Show on TV, play my Wordscraper [Scrabble] games on Facebook, back under the covers for a few 'quiet moments' until the day begins...
So yesterday, I was aware that there was a possibility that another [different] tooth was talking to me.  I had given it several days to resolve itself, but it was not cooperating.  I decided to call the dentist [whose house I am helping to add on sizeable addition with my dental monetary contributions].  I explained my situation and the receptionist said,
"How about in a half hour? or Friday morning?"
WWhatttt?"
Hadn't planned on a trip to the dentist.
Alrighty then...out of my bed and into my clothes...bathroom, etc. ...and I'm off to my least favorite destination...that would be the dentist's chair.
An exam and several xrays later, I have a thin crack in the farthest upper molar.  I am now brushing with specialty flouride toothepaste in an attempt to calm it down for now..  Otherwise there is a crown in my future. To join all of the crowning royalty thay already exists in my mouth.
The school where I taught was 2 minutes away and I stopped by to pick up my painting[from 2002] that had fallen off the wall and needed glueing....hadn't planned on going to school.
I stopped by a local apple orchard [whose two daughters were former students] and bought a big bag of Jonagold apples.  Hadn't planned on an apple excursion.
I drove back into town to go to the only thing that was planned for the day...a massage...Ohhmmm!
Twenty minutes to kill...what to do?  what to do? My  random abstract right brain in charge led me to a local little bakery/specialty shoppe[pies and pasta] that I had never actually been inside of but had tasted many fine examples of deliciousness as people often bring Maggie's cookies, cakes, and pies to functions and friends' houses. I went inside with a lone $20 bill.
Like a kid in a candy store...I selected 2 half moon cookies, chocolate chip cookies, a couple of pumpkin spice treats, a lemon square, a pair of scooter pie-type old fashioned mud cakes, a raspberry almond bar, ...and four raffle tickets to a local charity's fundraiser.  It was kind of serendipitious.
I had no idea I would be shopping at this little shoppe of paradise!!  Nope, had no plans for that, either!
Off to my massage...life is good.  This had been planned. It is better than any pain pill for my RA.
Back home by 1:30 for  my caregiving with Mom.
The world is made up of many different people with their own attitudes, choices, behaviors, plans...
Some must plan everything and are uncomfortable with random changes of plans.  And that's fine. Not me. I have flown by the seat of my pants on more than one occasion.
Eclectic am I.
Now, if only I could be lucky enough to win something from that raffle of 10 different $100 gift certificates.

Life 101

Each one of us arrives into time and place unaware of everything and in control of nothing.
A phone call from Sarah got me thinking about life, people, and happenstance. Most often we are first judged by outward appearances and first impressions. And yet what makes us unique as an ' individual' are things that are not visible.

I met Sarah a year ago when she became Mom's hospital roommate in need of some 'steroid therapy'.
I thought, "Oh! Sounds good...sign me up!"

Sara has multiple sclerosis and needed therapy to improve her walking capabilities. In her late 50's with one sister who lived an hour away, no children, and a husband on dialysis who had no more energy for her, the hospital was the place for some R&R...rest and recuperation. Sarah, Flo, and I spent about 4 or 5 days visiting and I kind of double teamed helping both patients since I was the most ambulatory of the three of us. The most challenging hurdle , though, was her speech impairment[not related to the MS] . Uncomfortable to listen to at first, it soon became clear that she was making perfect sense but talked so excitedly that it wasn't easily understandable. I'd have to say."I'm not understanding you yet...slow down."
And sometimes, it was"One more time, Sarah."
It was an adjustment for me and definitely outside of my comfort zone. I would guess that people often opt out of sharing a conversation that was so difficult, and kind of embarrassing to both people. It required time and getting past uncertainty.
The point is that an intelligent and witty woman was in there hidden by the outward appearance of chronic pain and 'other than perfect speech'. There was some hearty laughter mixed in our conversations. It was good.

Whenever I visited my mom, Sarah would comment on my colorful pocketbook. It was a red fabric bag with small daisies that was a birthday gift about 10 years ago. I had pressed it into service many times and my mom did, too. The last night when I left the hospital after visiting hours, I went home on a mission. I dumped the handbag's ingredients, and put it in the washing machine and then the dryer. Into one of the flaps, I tucked an index card with my name and phone number in case there was anything I could do for her. The next day, Flo was to be discharged, and I went to get her. I handed Sarah the red pocketbook and she said how much she really loved it. She didn't understand at first that I was giving it to her. Tears rolled down her face and I honestly don't know who was the happier camper!!! It was a grand moment and she still talks about it.
We have chatted several times on the phone, and I visited with her when she was in a rehab center. She told me that now she had some help come into her house two times a week and that the young woman recognized my name and thought that she was a former student of mine. Turned out to be true.

I was invited for cake and ice cream on a day that her helper would be there. So as Estelle Getty used to say on 'The Golden Girls'....Picture this:
I was sitting in Sarah's living room and she had her red pocketbook anchored at her feet. Across from me was my former student who was 10 years old when I met her...[and then her two sisters], too. As a part of her helping job, she had the refreshments ready to go. The three of us enjoyed a Pepperage Farm cake with chocolate ice cream as we all caught up on each other's lives. I remember thinking how unscripted and unique and enjoyable this whole scenario had become.
Sarah summed it up best. She said

"I can't believe that I found a friend in the hospital. I never thought that would happen."

Me, too, Sarah.
It's been a real adventure.

I was thinking that I knew Sara more because I had spent a couple of days in her presence. How many people don't get a fair chance at life, jobs, or friendship because it is difficult to get past the outside?   On Dancing with the Stars, there is an Iraq Vet whose Humvee was blown up when it encountered a land mine. He was badly burned, has had 30 surgeries, and is now dancing up a storm on network TV after an acting stint on 'All My Children. I give him a lot of credit. Initially it is difficult to look at his face. I have seen him on TV for a year and his smile is awesome.
Will the majority give his dancing a chance?

Or will a good looking ordinary dancer have an advantage right from the beginning?
The world would certainly benefit from giving each other basic kindness regardless of outward appearances and/or fashion.

I don't know if that is possible. Maybe one person at a time.

In a word....trobbing!

Trobbing' was Ray's word.

My mom's second marriage was to Ray. She was in his first wedding as a bridesmaid and many years later as his bride. After my father and then Ray's wife passed along to whatever is next, the widow and the widower joined forces and were very happy. They were good for each other, and he made her laugh as they shared their 60's and 70's. Flo still misses him and it's been 27 years since he uttered those words...
"My joints are trobbin'!! He had rheumatoid arthritis which has genetic causes. So when I was diagnosed with it, I thought...

Hey! He was my stepfather which is not a blood relative. So how come I got it?

Oh well, just injecting some levity because when I told my mom that 'My tooth is trobbing' it brought her a 'Ray smile' followed by her concern for my pain.

Toothache pain, earaches, and headaches command your attention. It is literally all in your head. Unlike other pain where if you sit down and be still...the pain may cease, at least temporarily.

At 6:30 AM I called my dentist's office expecting to leave a message on their answering machine. Imagine my surprise when a real person answered the phone!! At 11:15 I was sitting in the chair for a diagnosis to check out exactly what tooth problem had become the focal point of my thoughts.

Tap... tap....tap. Does this tooth hurt? No.

Tap...tap...tap. This one? Yowser!

An x-ray later, I have an abscess beneath a crown and I need a ...no-o-o-ooo...

Root Canal! Damn...

Accept the things that I cannot change, change the things that I can, and be smart enough to realize the difference.

I am now on an antibiotic and have two appointments next week to spend somewhere between $600 and $1,000 for a flippin' root canal. But if it stops the 'trobbing' I will happily comply.

And there ya have it. My RA pains have been trumped by a tooth pain....

What a nerve!!! {literally}

Yesterday

I spent the tenth anniversary of 9/11 as a regular Sunday for me...taking care of my mom who is now in a sleep mode, and so I watched the tv coverage in my own little corner of the world. There was so much to absorb visually while simultaneously listening to the people reflect about the past. The memorial has several parts...the lone tower standing as high as the twin towers will remind me of the plane flying into it. The two sunken fountains where the World Trade Center Twin Towers originally stood are a perfect memorial in my opinion. Simplistic yet mesmerizing and not ostentatious in any way. As the two reflecting pools are constantly refreshed with the sounds of waterfalls, it is both peaceful and powerful at the same time.

New to me was the documentary about how the waterfront was quickly mobilized as the exit strategy. The 'all call' issued by the US Coast Guard for people with boats was prompt and effective. You can watch this 12 minute movie on You Tube. It is called 'Boatlift' and is narrated by Tom Hanks.

I am truly amazed at the very fact that the whole thing actually happened. It remains incomprehensible to me that there could be such complicated planning to cause this overwhelming devastation that actually resulted in the Twin Towers totally collapsing. The loss of the buildings in no way compared to the human loss and suffering that resulted. How do you move on after that?
We do this together.

CIA

My son and I have a code or two that we can text each other when a span of time goes by and one of us [mostly me] needs reassurance that everything is okay. One is CIA: simply stated it means 'Call In Alive'. No other details needed. Sometimes I get a word or two...'walking the dog' or 'at the beach'. So that is what I am doing now on my blog.

I am just not feeling like posting...Mom continues to alternate between 'reality' and 'where's Mare?' It has the ability to get annoying, but this is not her fault.

I am having knee problems where I know it is going to hurt when I stand up, and it takes my smile away. I have a dr. appt. on Fri.

I have been reading some of my cyber friend's entries, and lately I haven't left a comment on probably 4 out of 5. Nothing personal. I am tired, and climbing into bed wins.

This caretaker is in need of a caretaker!!

So, I've got to 'snap out of it' and that's my plan...very soon. TTFN [ta ta for now].

Selective Abondonment

When I find myself in times of trouble....Mother Mary comes to me...Speaking words of wisdom...let it be.

I have found that sometimes you just have to let go of some things on your list of things to accomplish. It is like running on a 'power saver' mode...selective abandonment.

I remain on antibiotics, and hence those arthritis drugs of choice are not allowed. And so I have assumed the role of the 'tin man'...I mean 'tin woman'...Biofreeze and pain meds are my best friends.

Saturday was spent in the ER with 'me mum' who had respiratory issues that were getting worse. X rays showed no pneumonia, but other tests showed a UTI infection. She is now on an antibiotic for that and prednisone for breathing issues.

The Amazing Grace [dog] is currently enrolled in 'thunder and lightening training' using the wicker basket from the car... used when she is with us on a ride. I brought it into the bedroom, and it gives her a defined place to go that is hers.

"Get in the basket!! [And the basket is ON my bed with me hanging onto it.!!]

She is still in altered states, but I do see progress. Whew!

So, with minimal energy and motivation, my knees have literally sat me down. No extra activities. Kind of a lack of focus on anything else, including storytelling and computer activities other than some occasional solitaire and hearts, which require no thinking or typing.

And now, I can hear my pillow and blanket/bed calling my name....

Ahh...Even I can do it!

I am giving a shout out for these Oxo storage containers for anyone who has trouble opening, twisting, peeling, or pulling...the tops off of containers. The knob on the Oxo top is easily popped up by pushing on it when it is flat with the top [the closed, air tight position] and then you just pick it up. When you are done, you put the top back on and push the knob back down flat. So easy to do, Yipee!!! Genius!! Refreshing!! Sold. I have a wide selection of gizmos to help me get stuff open. That was probably the result of not being able to get the Tylenol container open, and I had to resort to sawing it off with a serrated knife!@!@! That was years ago. Since then, I generally ask people for help whenever I cannot get childproof tops off. Forget about mouthwash that you have to push both sides in and also simultaneously turn it, too. I am really tired of the cellophane/foil wrapped benedryl that you have to bend the end and then peel the paper diagonally to then break the foil. Uh-huh...scissors work much better. And the Reddi Whip container that you are supposed to peel that tiny piece of plastic counterwise....I recommend grasping the bottom of the can with two hands and give that plastic top a Smackdown on the edge of the countertop. That cap will FLY! Seriously, you should be able to open stuff without using your teeth or asking the CIA to help you figure it out...or the nearest kid you can find!!

The Newest Safety Seat Belts

The Latest Seat Belts Proven To Reduce Accidents!!!

With another Safe Driving class wrapped up and in the record book, hopefully there are now another 20 people with a renewed perspective about the road. Each time a group of 55+ year old folks get together, there are generally some laughs along with the safety discussions.

An example of this would be the suggested new design for seat belts. We had been talking about the vision and hearing changes that naturally occur as one ages. When asked if they ever 'don't hear' someone talking to them, a deep burly voice resonated,

"Only when it's my wife!!"

She was sitting right next to him and probably laughed the loudest of all of us.

The class was at a new location for me and it was almost perfection! My local church agreed to host the session, and we had a [former] classroom that was set up with tables, chairs, and a TV/VCR. Similar to the picture, one side was half window straight to the ceiling, and the 'postcard-type' snow that was happening outside was absolutely beautiful. And it was toasty warm, too!

So, what kept it from being perfect?

Well, every once in a while, the heating system would replenish the water going through the system, and it produced a sound similar to a boot kicking a metal radiator cover. It wasn't so much loud as it was unpredictable. About the third time it happened, it kind of naturally occurred right after I had finished making a point. [Cue: Bang!] And a woman voiced,

"Exclamation Point!!"

Some holiday cookies and snacks were brought in and shared on the second day. People were smiling and seemed to enjoy the whole experience as a group of friends. The comedian was in the back on the right side, and entertained us with some witty remarks. We were discussing the importance of leaving some space in front of you as you come to a red light or stop sign, and glancing in the rear view mirror to be sure that the car/truck behind you was really stopping also. That way, if you need to inch up to give them some space, you would have that option. A woman asked,

"What should you do if you see that they are not going to stop?"

Without missing a beat, the answer from the back advised,

"Hold on !!"

And that became the answer to all the questions after that, along with

"Exclamation Point!"

My personal version of the course evaluation is to hand out a half sheet of note paper and ask them to share with me if they found out something that they didn't already know, and/or would there be something that they would do differently as a result of our discussions. Responses included the usual ones of :

I will put a throw-away camera in the glove box.

I will be a more patient driver, and when the light turns green, I will 'look to the left' to make sure that someone is not trying to beat out the yellow light. [And hit me broadside!]

I feel more respectful of big trucks, their blind spots, and their inability to stop as fast as a car.

When making a left turn, I will keep the wheels straight until I actually begin the turn by stepping on the gas.

I will get OFF of the road to use my cell phone because there are no 'do-overs' with crashes.

One woman wrote that she had not taken any kind of driver training in 43 years, and that she didn't realize how much she needed to know. And that the teacher was 'quick, thorough, considerate, and charming!!'

I love the fact that maybe someone will slow down, and smell the roses a bit more. We do not need to be in such a hurry at all times.

And there you have it.

Hummingbird Charades

My mom, brother, and I have been watching the hummingbird feeder that is attached to the picture window, and it is a busy, busy spot!! They are so small that it is amazing to me how these birds can migrate such a distance. This morning, one of them hovered mid-air looking directly at me moving ever so slightly as it moved in front of each of the 9 [tic-tac-toe ] window panes for about 20 seconds. Awesome!

The very old joke that goes:
You know why they're called hummingbirds?

Because they forgot the words! [Groan..nn]

Picture me facing this 'lil bird saying, "What's the matter girl? Is Timmy in the well?"

So...thinking that maybe some new sweetened water was the message, I cleaned their feeder and changed the water. I will miss the hummers.
Too bad the squirrels don't migrate!!

On to the good news...

It has been a tremendoulsy sweet year for peaches. The bestest of the best! I even snuck a bag of 'country farmer's market peaches' into my visiting brother's car when he wasn't looking for a juicy surprise after that 5 hour drive.

And, I am pleased to announce that....

At last...there is a bud on the gardenia plant that we have been nurturing all season. Wahoo! I hope it blooms. It looks pretty healthy! It is Flo's favorite, and we've been impatiently giving that plant some 'not so subliminal messages' to 'FLOWER' ...COME ON...FLOWER!

And finally...

On this Labor Day weekend, I would like to thank all of the many, varied, and unusual laborers who help us in various ways. Farmers, nurses, medics, secretaries, scientists, plumbers, electricians, construction workers, trash collectors, comedians, song writers, dancers, [good news] reporters, politicians [who are working for the general good and not their own personal pension], fire wo/men, police officers, cooks, teachers, title searchers, caretakers, our military and their families,

veterinarians, volunteers.... The Geek Squad!!!

Any other 'laborers' that you would add to my general list whose work you would miss?

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

It's been a week of recovery...from respiratory stuff, lack of sleep, and wintery weather. Florence has had the respiratory issue which started the cycle where she is wide-eyed and awake at night, talks alot, and can't seem to 'shut those peepers'! And as cause and effect would have it, this meant that I also was along for that ride on our 'bunking built for two.' There was coughing and wheezing, pills and nebulizer treatments, and then the first 'bad weather' blew in. Feeling that I really had little control over very much, somehow these words flew from my mouth ...directions to my hair dresser,

"I need a change... something different...a 'new do'. Not just a trim. A haircut!"

I was ready for anything, and a haircut was 'do'able! Haha. I have had hair cuts where combined with my face, I have resembled Ruth Buzzi,[in the early 80's], Arnie's secretary on LA Law [years ago], Billie Jean King the tennis player who beat Bobby Riggs, and now once again, "Ollie' with the oval face and short hair! So, what's up, Ollie?

It is a no fuss haircut, it's a change, and I like it.

I am currently reading Mitch Albom's book, "Have a Little Faith" and like his other books, there's something in there for me. I would recommend it regardless of any religious affiliation. I was reminded of the book as this scenario developed:

Last night as Flo was tucked into bed, I noticed it felt kind of chilly in the bedroom where the thermostat was set at 72 and the room registered a 68. The abridged version of the next 2 hours goes like this:

Called the furnace service that delivers my oil. I have a contract with them.

They came out and bled the air out of the system, changed some part, and left.

They came back 30 minutes later when I could not get the furnace to kick on...the bedroom was still a little nippy.

As I waited for the furnace issue to be resolved, I turned on the TV, and it may be that everyone's watching cable...but not me!!! Now, my cable wasn't working. Well, hell's bells!

I know better than to ask, "What's next?"

I'll tell you what's next.

I'm gonna 'have a little faith'...real soon..

sipping an exotic drink with a decorative umbrella popping out of the crushed ice...while having a massage...somewhere on a beautiful tropical island!!

Details to follow!!

Mellow Yellow... Socks Rock!

Feeling a little blue? Need a lift?

A little background first...

When I was in college, not only did I learn about life from the courses that I took, but also from the newly formed friendships that resulted from spending time together... especially during the summers at the Jersey shore!! One of my 'sisters' [Sigma Kappa Phi] had her own personal formula for chasing the blues away. Kathy called it "Happy Food." What was it?

It was toasted pound cake with vanilla ice cream. It never varied in any way. Always pound cake that you toasted and then put vanilla ice cream on the top...'happy food'.

Well, now I have begun a newer version and you can get right in step: happy feet.

Happenstance: While shopping and always on the lookout for socks that are easy on/ easy off with loose tops that will not leave marks on my mother's legs, I noticed 'Bonnie Doon' crew socks on the rack. What a blast from the past! We had to wear 'Bonnie Doon' grey knee -hi socks as a part of our high school uniforms. I had not thought about them in forty [!!] years! They are everything I was looking for as well as they were yellow!! [the color of sunshine: bright and cheery]. I bought all of them. And sent a pair to my high school friend as a 'happy-gram' [ a surprise with no calories that can be put into service more than once].

I wrote, "When things are lookin' down, put your yellow socks on, and things will be lookin' brighter!"

I just mailed a pair to my niece who is on a business trip and is working away from her family and sounding sad. When she gets home, they'll be there!

Yesterday as I was still trying to get Mom healthy[ she's had a respiratory thing going on], I put on my yellow striped socks to keep me smiling and awake. 'Cause when she wakes up four times during the night, so do I, and I needed a lift: yellow socks!

Try it. You'll like it!

Works for me.

Get going. Put them on your shopping list. Put your best foot forward. Give them out for Christmas!

Spread some sunshine. You'll see the light.

Yellow socks rock!